Cutting inches off your hair can be, in a word, cathartic. In multiple words, it can be exciting and dramatic and literally lift the weight off your shoulders. Whether you're shooting for a drastic change in the new year [1] or just hoping to change up your current look, going for the big chop can prove to be a satisfying solution — and we're here to help. We've scoured Instagram for the prettiest short haircuts [2], so if you've been considering taking the plunge for a while, let these photos convince you.